Skip to main content

Review: Blind Date with the Hero - Heroes of Freedom Ridge #18

Blind Date with the Hero book cover on blue background

It feels so bittersweet now that I'm finished the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series! When I first started, I wasn't sure if I could make it through all 18 books, but what a pleasure and delight it has been to get to know the town and its stories so thoroughly. Reading Blind Date with the Hero was both exciting and wistful; however, I'm thankful I got to travel to Freedom, Colorado this past year and get to know so many great authors!

Book Synopsis

She’s on a series of blind dates, but all she can think about is her Secret Santa…

Alexis would rather skinny dip in a snowbank than make good on the bet she lost. Ten blind dates? As though the holidays weren’t hard enough, now she has to sit at awkward Christmas parties with men who were more likely to be intimidated by her military experience than infatuated. At least her Secret Santa was keeping things interesting.

K9 Specialist Jared Keen couldn’t believe his luck when he got his best friend’s name in the Secret Santa pool. After years of wishing he could tell Alexis how he felt, this is his chance to show her instead. At the same time, he just needs to convince her that their friendship can handle the pressure outside the friendzone, and pray that one of her ridiculous blind dates doesn’t derail his plan.

Source: Amazon

Book Thoughts

This is the last book of the Heroes of Freedom Ridge series, and what an ending it is! This book delivers all of the warm and fuzzy feelings associated with romance and reminds readers why they fell in love with the people of Freedom, Colorado in the first place. Seeing so many characters mentioned is a thoughtful nod to earlier books, and the story itself is sheer bliss. As I was reading about Jared and Alexis, I couldn't help but root for things to work out for them. This is not only a charming story with secret admirer vibes throughout, but it dives deeper into the themes of identity, courage, and acceptance.

This book is the perfect conclusion to such a tremendous series, and Tara Grace Ericson hits it out of the park with this story. The number of swoony moments is equally matched by the poignant truths of God's love and care. I love that the characters work through tough issues together and that Jared demonstrates patience, grace, and persistence as he supports Alexis. Blind Date with the Hero will leave you with a smile on your face and butterflies in your stomach for all the best reasons.

Book Summary

  • Format of book: 📱
  • Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Recommendation: 👍

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Pride and Practicality

After reading  Sense and Suitability by Pepper Basham , I've been absolutely hooked on how she writes a Regency story! Pride and Practicality follows Simon Reeves' sister, Arianna, as she returns home to her family after escaping a scandal. I love her redemption story and am so thrilled that I've also been able to meet my favourite clergyman, Thomas Bridges. Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis In a world ruled by reputation, compassion may be the most scandalous act of all. Arianna Reeves knows how quickly admiration can turn into exile. One poorly placed trust, one disastrously charming rake, and she is no longer society's darling—but its favorite cautionary tale. Now returned home—uninvited and unmistakably whispered about—Arianna is determined to make amends with her estranged family and do something useful with her thoroughly ruined life. Even ...

Christian Book Review Programs

Over time, I've been on the hunt for Christian book review programs that readers can join. As a result, I've been able to compile the following list which may be of interest if you are seeking review copies of Christian books. This list mostly applies to print and ebooks, although some publishers offer audiobooks as well. If further information is available for any of the publishers below (or any missing publishers), please let me know as I am happy to update this list—thank you! Please note that you can also search for these publishers on NetGalley and other review sites in case there are no review programs available to you or you don't qualify for one 😊 List last updated: September 18, 2026 Christian Publishers 10ofThose Availability: U.S., Canadian, and U.K. residents Format: Only books published by 10ofThose qualify for review requests so as to avoid impeding with other Christian book review programs Genre: Christian non-fiction, children's books Email for availabi...

Review: Capsules & Crushes - Sweethearts on Everwild #1.5

Isn't it delightful when a short story ends up becoming more, based on readers' requests? Capsules and Crushes is a fun novella that  Amanda Tero Matthews  has developed for the  Sweethearts on Everwild series , and is a great way to prolong your summer with these Christian beach reads. Many thanks to the author for providing a complimentary copy of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own. Book Synopsis When a time capsule reveals a secret crush, it might be the start to something new... if they can overcome the challenges of today. Devon Graves has one goal this weekend: forget that his fiancée is marrying someone else. He escapes with his metal detector to Everwild Island only to uncover a time capsule that should have stayed hidden. Makayla Bowman has secretly loved Devon since high school. When he invites her to spend the day with him treasure hunting, it’s a dream come true. Until she sees the teenage note she wrote about him in his possession. F...